Developers World Championship: Match Report - Italy v New Zealand (Group F)

ITALY Vempire (Impressionware)

VS NEW ZEALAND Bird Strike (PikPok Games)

How the mighty have fallen. Even if Italy’s desperately disappointing opening game draw with Paraguay at Sepp Blatter’s little soiree was an improvement on iScopa’s result, the air in Rome, Florence, and Milan must have turned azzurri blue more than once recently.

Upping the stakes for the Italians this afternoon was Turin-based outfit Impressionware and its match-four puzzler, Vempire.

In the earlier kick-off, the similarities between Radiant and Space Invaders Infinity Gene were duly noted. Likewise, whilst New Zealand’s Bird Strike shared a basic principle with the genre-leading Angry Birds, there was no suggestion of fowl play this time around.

In a riff on the bird propulsion craze, PikPok’s addictive little time-killer encouraged players to launch the feathered hero Gerald vertically rather than horizontally or diagonally.

Accompanied to the pitch by the strains of The Vengaboys’ Up and Down, the teams were now lined up and awaiting the national anthems...

Kick Off: 3pm, 20th June

The critical view: Italy’s approach in the opening skirmishes of this round two confrontation was strategic, tactical, and chock-full of histrionics. Intelligent combos across the midfield were unlocking new systems, 40 levels, and characters for use later in the game.

Not wishing to be dragged down to the Italians’ cynical level, New Zealand’s footballing flock began to soar in the middle section of the first half, firing rockets at the Latin ‘keeper from all angles.

During a break in play for an injured winger who’d been the victim of an unholy attack that had gone unseen by the ref, Bird Strike was given a boost by some isotonic drinks placed along the touchline, which tilted the match in its favour.

Avoiding obstacles on the edge of box, captain Gerald let fly with a goalbound thunderbolt, a dagger through the heart of Vempire.

1-0 to New Zealand and no sign of any albatross around New Zealand’s neck after its round one reverse.

Half time: Italy 0 – 1 New Zealand The Fans’ 45: Disillusioned by their national teams' failings in Bath and South Africa, the Azzurri Army weren't inspired by Vempire's nine collectable artefacts and 10 big bosses on the park.

Understandably, the distance between England and New Zealand perhaps deterred the Oceania-based faithful from following the All Whites.

Hence, in spite of a well-worked YouTube competition and some attractive OpenFeint link up play, Bird Strike couldn't extend its lead and with Vempire never looking like getting its teeth into an equaliser, it remained 1-0 to New Zealand.

The Kiwis remained in with a chance of progressing if they could win their last game, but it was all over for the Italians. We waved an early arrivaderci to the reigning footie World Champs.

Full time: Italy 0 – 1 New Zealand Latest Group Tables - Fixtures & Voting - Squads

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